Garrett Slams Door, McNeil Delivers Fireworks as Mets Stun Yankees in Subway Thriller

Could Reed Garrett’s frantic dugout pacing be the secret weapon to reviving the Mets’ season? The right-hander authored a high-wire act for the ages, recording a crucial six-out save to seal a dramatic 6-5 Mets victory over the Yankees in Friday’s Subway Series opener at Citi Field. This gritty win marked the Mets’ third straight triumph after a dismal stretch where they’d won just three of their prior 17 games, signaling a potential turning point for Carlos Mendoza’s squad.

Garrett’s Adrenaline-Fueled Mastery

Summoned to protect a one-run lead in the frenzied atmosphere of a sold-out Citi Field, Reed Garrett knew conventional rest wasn’t an option. As the Mets batted in the bottom of the eighth, the reliever transformed the dugout into his personal track. He paced relentlessly – end to end, halfway down, even firing a plyoball against the wall – anything to maintain his searing adrenaline.

“I can’t sit down,” Garrett explained post-game. “When I sit down, I dump my adrenaline and have trouble getting back up. I’ve learned to keep walking around to keep engaged.”

His manager, Carlos Mendoza, had specifically tasked him with giving “everything you’ve got” for a taxing two-inning assignment. Garrett delivered under immense pressure. Navigating around a single in the eighth, he returned for a pristine ninth inning, retiring the side in order and stranding the dangerous Aaron Judge in the on-deck circle for the final out. This performance was a vital redemption for Garrett and Huascar Brazobán (who pitched a scoreless seventh), as the duo had combined for a staggering 15.95 ERA since June 3 entering the night.

McNeil’s Moment: Homer and Heroics

While Garrett sealed it, Jeff McNeil provided the decisive spark. Stepping up in the seventh inning against Yankees reliever Luke Weaver, McNeil turned on a changeup and launched a towering two-run homer deep into the right-field second deck. The blast erased a 5-4 deficit and sent the New York City crowd into bedlam.

“It’s always a battle with them,” McNeil said of the rivalry. “These are very emotional in a playoff-like atmosphere. We enjoy it.”

His heroics weren’t confined to the batter’s box. Protecting the slim lead in the ninth, McNeil made a game-saving defensive gem. On D.J. LeMahieu’s one-out dribbler behind first base, McNeil slid, snagged the ball, popped up, and fired a laser to first base, nabbing LeMahieu by a step. His triumphant scream echoed through the ballpark.

“That was sick,” Garrett marveled of the play. Mendoza added, “That ball gets through, it’s a completely different inning,” acknowledging it potentially saved him from facing Judge with the tying run on base.

Soto Shines, Bats Awaken Against Rivals

Juan Soto, whose previous Subway Series experience in the Bronx was marred by hostile crowds, reveled in the Citi Field energy. He answered back-to-back Yankees homers off spot starter Justin Hagenman in the first inning with a thunderous two-run blast of his own, immediately restoring equilibrium. Soto later doubled and scored in the third, continuing his torrid stretch at the plate.

“I just feel good right now,” Soto stated. “I’m seeing the ball really well… I am trying to do damage every time.”

Brett Baty also contributed significantly, clubbing a sixth-inning homer to pull the Mets within one run before McNeil’s heroics. This offensive resurgence is a welcome sign for a team whose bats had gone cold during their prolonged slump. Overcoming bullpen limitations – with Edwin Díaz and Ryne Stanek unavailable and José Buttó becoming the 13th Mets pitcher on the IL – made the victory even sweeter.

Key Takeaways

• Reed Garrett secured a vital six-out save (his first multi-inning save of the season), battling through recent struggles and using frantic dugout pacing to maintain adrenaline, preserving the Mets’ 6-5 win over the Yankees.
• Jeff McNeil delivered the game-winning two-run homer off Luke Weaver in the seventh inning and made a spectacular sliding, spinning defensive play in the ninth to help seal the Subway Series victory at Citi Field.
• Juan Soto powered the early offense with a first-inning two-run homer and a run-scoring double, thriving in the Queens atmosphere after a tough prior experience in the Bronx series.
• The victory marked the Mets’ third consecutive win, a significant turnaround after winning only three of their previous 17 games, offering hope that the team’s worst stretch is behind them.
• The Mets overcame significant bullpen adversity, using key innings from Huascar Brazobán and Garrett with their primary late-inning arms unavailable, highlighting the team’s resilience during this critical inning of their season.